Latest news with #Siwan
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From Zero to Villain - Im Siwan's Shocking Transformation Will Leave You Speechless
The Sweet Boy Next Door Who Became Korea's Most Hated Character Remember that innocent-looking guy from your college who seemed too pure for this world? That's exactly what Im Siwan looked like in " Boyhood " (2023). Playing the role of Byeong-tae, a high school student with nothing but big dreams and an even bigger mouth, Siwan had us all convinced he was just another soft boy actor destined for romantic comedies and feel-good dramas. The character of Byeong-tae was everything we love about underdog stories - naive, optimistic, and stubbornly righteous despite having zero power to change anything. His famous line "Ah, where in the world is there a person who isn't precious? To me, everyone in the world is precious!" became an instant meme among Korean drama fans. The way Siwan delivered these lines with such genuine conviction made viewers believe this was just his natural personality shining through. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo But then Squid Game Season 3 happened, and honestly, we're still recovering from the whiplash. The 37-year-old actor, who started his journey as a member of the idol group ZE:A (Children of Empire) in 2010, has pulled off one of the most shocking character transformations in recent K-drama history. From playing the lovable underdog in " Misaeng " (2014) to becoming the crypto-obsessed villain Myeong-gi in Netflix's global phenomenon, Siwan has proven that still waters run deep - and sometimes they hide some pretty dark currents. What makes this transformation even more remarkable is the timing. Both "Boyhood" and "Squid Game 3" were filmed around the same period, with some overlapping shooting schedules. Imagine switching between playing an idealistic teenager fighting against injustice to portraying a morally bankrupt adult who's lost all sense of right and wrong - all within the same few months. That's the kind of mental gymnastics that would break most actors, but Siwan somehow managed to keep both characters distinct and authentic. When Your Favorite Oppa Becomes the Villain You Love to Hate The contrast is absolutely mind-boggling, and it's not just about the characters - it's about the entire energy they bring to the screen. In "Boyhood," Byeong-tae was that friend who'd fight the system for you, even if he had zero chance of winning. He was the guy who'd stand up to bullies twice his size, get beaten up, and still come back the next day with the same defiant smile. There was something beautifully foolish about his optimism, the kind that makes you want to protect him from the harsh realities of the world. Fast forward to "Squid Game 3," and Myeong-gi is the guy who'd probably sell his own grandmother for a Bitcoin. The transformation isn't just physical - though Siwan's styling team deserves major props for making him look appropriately disheveled and desperate - it's in every micro-expression, every gesture, every moment of calculated selfishness. "I'll throw the baby away, you think I can't do it? I can do it!" - these bone-chilling words from Myeong-gi had viewers clutching their pearls and questioning everything they thought they knew about Im Siwan. The way he delivered this line, with tears streaming down his face but his voice filled with desperate determination, was genuinely disturbing. It's the kind of performance that makes you forget you're watching an actor and instead feel like you're witnessing someone's complete moral breakdown in real time. The actor himself admitted that even he struggled to understand his character until the very end of filming. Unlike method actors who dive deep into their characters' psychology from day one, Siwan found himself constantly questioning Myeong-gi's motivations. "I was confused about creating and understanding the character until almost the end of filming," he revealed in recent interviews. Playing a failed cryptocurrency YouTuber who lost everything and joined the deadly games out of desperation, Siwan had to dig deep into the psychology of fear and cowardice. This wasn't just about playing a villain - it was about understanding how ordinary people can make extraordinary bad choices when pushed to their limits. Myeong-gi represents that terrifying possibility that exists in all of us: what would we do if we lost everything and saw no way out? The Method Behind the Madness What makes Siwan's transformation even more impressive is how he approached the role from a completely different angle than his previous characters. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk specifically asked for a performance that was neither completely evil nor entirely good - basically, the kind of morally gray character that makes you uncomfortable because they're too real. This direction initially confused Siwan, who was used to playing more straightforward characters. "If that's the case, I concluded that maybe Myeong-gi makes bad choices because he's a coward overwhelmed by fear," he explained. "The process of finding some line at a middle point rather than at extreme points wasn't easy, but I think that's why Myeong-gi became a three-dimensional and mysteriously unpredictable character." The brilliance of this approach is that it makes Myeong-gi's actions feel inevitable rather than shocking. Every terrible choice he makes feels like the logical next step for someone who's already lost everything and is operating purely on survival instinct. It's not that he's inherently evil - he's just so terrified of losing what little he has left that he'll sacrifice anyone and anything to protect himself. This psychological complexity is what separates Siwan's villain from the typical K-drama antagonist. Instead of being driven by revenge, greed, or pure malice, Myeong-gi is motivated by something much more relatable and therefore more terrifying: fear. The fear of being poor, of being irrelevant, of being forgotten. It's the kind of fear that keeps millions of young people awake at night, wondering if they'll ever be able to afford their own homes or if they'll spend their entire lives struggling to make ends meet. Siwan's commitment to authenticity meant he had to find that fear within himself, which wasn't easy for someone who's achieved considerable success in both music and acting. "I can only act when my heart truly moves," he admitted. "When I don't understand something, I get frustratingly stuck and have to think it through." This level of emotional honesty is what makes his performance so convincing - and so disturbing. The Cultural Impact and Fan Reactions The response to Siwan's transformation has been nothing short of explosive. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions ranging from shock and betrayal to grudging admiration for his acting skills. The actor himself has noticed the change in his online presence: "Thanks to Squid Game, my social media followers increased a lot, but many seem to have come just to curse at me." This reaction speaks to something deeper about how audiences connect with actors, especially those who start their careers as idols. There's an expectation that these performers will maintain their "pure" image, that they'll continue to be the safe, comforting presence that fans fell in love with. When someone like Siwan breaks that mold so dramatically, it forces fans to confront their own assumptions about both the actor and the characters they play. The cultural significance of this transformation extends beyond just entertainment. In a society where young people are increasingly struggling with economic uncertainty and social pressure, Myeong-gi's character arc serves as a cautionary tale about what can happen when desperation overrides morality. The fact that this message is delivered by someone as seemingly innocent as Im Siwan makes it even more powerful.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Squid Game 3: Im Siwan's Villain Is Getting Roasted Harder Than Thanos!
The Villain Everyone Loves to Hate So, Squid Game fever was back with its third season, and trust me, things are wilder than ever. Im Siwan , who you might know from his K-pop days and killer acting, is now playing Myung-gi-a character so controversial, he's being called a bigger villain than Thanos! Yeah, you heard that right. Move over Marvel, Korean drama villains are here to snatch your crown. Im Siwan himself is loving the hate. In his own words, "Getting cursed at for my character is a blessing. I'm actually enjoying this phase!" He's getting trolled in every language imaginable, from English to ones he can't even recognize. Imagine opening your DMs and seeing roast sessions in languages you have to Google Translate-now that's global fame. The Most Shocking Scene and Why It Messed With Siwan Let's talk about that final episode. Siwan's character makes it to the last three and ends up in a scene so intense, he didn't even want to face it. There's a moment where he threatens to throw a baby-yep, you read that right. But Siwan says, "I never really intended to do it. It was just a bluff. I don't think Myung-gi would ever actually go through with it." Relatable, because who hasn't bluffed their way out of a sticky situation? He describes Myung-gi as not just a villain, but a coward and a bit of a loser. "He thinks he's smart, but he's actually just scared and petty. That's why he does desperate things like threaten with a baby or get jealous of Gi-hun and Jun-hee." It's this complexity that makes Myung-gi so much more than your typical one-dimensional bad guy. Fame, Trolls, and The Global K-Drama Wave With Squid Game's insane global popularity, Siwan is now getting hate comments from all over the world. He jokes that people are following him on social media just to troll him. Honestly, that's a level of fame most of us can only dream of-or have nightmares about. It's wild how a single K-drama can unite people across continents, languages, and cultures, all just to collectively roast one character. In a way, it's kind of beautiful-like how Indian youth come together to meme on Bigg Boss contestants or roast Bollywood plot twists. Drama is universal, and so is the art of trolling. If you ever feel like you're getting too much hate online, just remember: even the world's biggest stars are out here getting roasted for their on-screen antics. Wear it like a badge of honor, and maybe, just maybe, you'll end up with a story as epic as Im Siwan's. It's funny how both Korean and Indian pop culture thrive on drama, emotional rollercoasters, and, of course, a good old-fashioned villain. Whether it's a K-drama baddie or a Bollywood "vamp," we all need someone to blame when things go south. And honestly, that's what makes watching these shows so much fun. Reporting from Seoul, where even the villains are global celebs.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PM to flag off Vande Bharat train on Patliputra-Gorakhpur route
Patna: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is likely to flag off a new Vande Bharat Express train between Patliputra Junction and Gorakhpur via videoconferencing from Siwan during his visit on June 20. The much-awaited semi-high-speed train is expected to improve connectivity in north Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, much to the relief of residents in both states. Danapur divisional railway manager (DRM) Jayant Kumar Choudhary said preparations were underway for the launch of the new Vande Bharat Express. "The function will be held on platform number 1 at Patliputra Junction. Other details are still awaited," he said, adding that the Danapur division is already operating Vande Bharat trains on the Patna-Ranchi, Patna-Howrah, Patna-New Jalpaiguri, Patna-Tatanagar and Patna-Lucknow routes. According to sources, the new train will have eight modern coaches and cover the 234-km distance in just about five hours, almost half the time taken by conventional passenger trains, which usually take up to nine hours. The train will offer 1,130 seats with each coach featuring four emergency windows for passenger safety. A railway official from the Danapur division said the new Vande Bharat Express would run via Bettiah, Bapudham Motihari and Muzaffarpur with scheduled halts at eight stations between Patliputra Junction and Gorakhpur. Preparations for the inaugural run, including track inspections, station readiness and security arrangements, are already in progress. The addition of this new train is seen as a major step toward improving intra-state travel in Bihar and improving connectivity with eastern Uttar Pradesh. Sources said the train's advanced features, such as reduced travel time, modern amenities and enhanced safety, are expected to draw a substantial number of passengers on the Patna-Gorakhpur route. Fare details and the final list of stoppages are currently being finalised by the Railway Board.
